Spinning Today (Classical version)

[julesd68]

OMG - just switched on Classic FM and was treated to a live recording of Martha Argerich playing Rach 3 with Berlin Radio Orchestra and Riccardo Chailly. Simply awesome, she is on-fire.

Will be more than happy if she decides to play Rach at next year's Barbican concert.

[MartinT]

I have her recording of Rach 3 and she really does float across the keys. I will be in seventh heaven if she plays that next year.

[jandl100]

Yesterday ..

Kalliwoda - string quartets 1, 2 & 3 on a Calliope CD - the next generation on from Beethoven, born in 1801. Very listenable.

Michael Kamen - Saxophone concerto on Warner CD. I lurvs the sound of the sax with a lively pair of lungs behind it, just bursting with vibrant energy & ripping thru the air from the speakers! This is pretty much the perfect classically oriented sax concerto for me - forget the soporific pootlings of Milhaud etc! Bravo!!

[jandl100]

Yesterday ...

Vaughan Williams symphonies 3 & 4. Haitink / original issue EMI CD. I really like Haitink's cycle.

Gilbert & Sullivan "The Mikado" on DVD. D'Oyly Carte production. Hmmm ... a bit 'stiff', more recent productions have a more relaxed and natural way with the humour of it all.
But Valerie Masterson is seriously yummy as Yum-Yum!

[morris_minor]

I've never heard Haitink's VW - have got both Boult and Handley (RLPO) cycles, plus some of Previn's. Is there an easy way to characterise it?

Yesterday's fare included "Full of Cobbles" by Nymanesque Glassian Wim Mertens http://www.wimmertens.be/.

Maybe something was lost a bit in the title translation (from French/Flemish?). It does invite comments from those not in tune with the style

[jandl100]

I've never heard Haitink's VW - have got both Boult and Handley (RLPO) cycles, plus some of Previn's. Is there an easy way to characterise it?

Some contentious (but deeply felt!) opinions below - so please don't get offended.
All opinions are mine, and your mileage may vary, as they say!

Boult and Handley.
Is that the stereo Boult set?
Hmm. Both a bit variable, imo.

Handley lacks oomph and can lack for 'fire in his belly'. I read an interview given by him in Gramophone a few years back, and he was proud of his unexcitable approach. Takes all sorts I guess, but I think RVW is a deeply passionate composer, and I think that is missing in Chuck Handley's RVW interpretations.
I find him much overrated in RVW, but I really enjoy his Elgar, where he does take a more passionate stance.

Boult's stereo 3rd is incomparable, really wonderful, but his 5th is a bit perfunctory and a distinct let down for me.

The 8th and 9th for a long time were underrated - largely because it's only recently with Haitink and (especially) Slatkin that the music has been understood in any sensible way and comes over very strongly. No slacking off in old age for RVW, far from it! But I don't think you'd know that from older recordings.

Previn is an excellent allrounder, but the RCA sound quality is def past its sell by date, which is a great shame.

How to characterise Haitink?
Clear headed, with a fine ear for dynamic gradations, surging and passionate when the music calls for it, but with genuine tenderness where appropriate.
I like his whole cycle a lot - and it has excellent sound quality, although the re-mastering/transfer for the budget set has resulted in rather too forward/bright a sound, imo.
I'm collecting the original EMI CD issues, superb sound!

All imo, ymmv.

[MartinT]

I'm fairly sure I have Boult's 2nd (A London Symphony) and it's a stunning, fiery reading. Superb recording, too.

[morris_minor]

Thanks for your thoughts, Jerry!

Yes, I've Boult's stereo version on EMI. I don't share your assessment of the Handley cycle, but will readily admit that may be because I had a connection to him through singing in his Guildford choirs .

Browsing eBay last night I saw Haitink's London Symphony/Tallis LP and have put a "snipe" on it, so I can hopefully hear this. I remember a Prom with Haitink where Elgar 2 was on the program, and I'd got a seat behind the orchestra, just near the horns I recall. This was a tremendous experience.

Anyhow - listening now to Moeran's G minor Symphony on a 78rpm transfer - Leslie Heward and the Halle. This is making an interesting comparison to Boult, Handley & Dilkes ...

[morris_minor]

I'm fairly sure I have Boult's 2nd (A London Symphony) and it's a stunning, fiery reading. Superb recording, too.

Indeed! It was a vintage period for both Boult and the Bishop/Parker recording team

[morris_minor]

Browsing eBay last night I saw Haitink's London Symphony/Tallis LP and have put a "snipe" on it, so I can hopefully hear this. .

Result. Mine for £0.99 plus p&p.